With Red Sox, Andrew Miller finds relief in being a reliever

Credit: AP

After years of struggling as a starter, Andrew Miller has become a mainstay in the Red Sox' bullpen.

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It was the most fortuitous injury ever to befall Andrew Miller.

Miller went to spring training last year with the same goal he has had since being drafted in 2006, namely to earn a job as a starter. But he strained his hamstring midway through camp and missed valuable audition time. Meanwhile, lefty Felix Doubront and converted reliever Daniel Bard claimed the final two spots in the Red Sox' rotation.

The season began with Miller on the disabled list, and once he returned in early May, the Sox stuck him in the bullpen. What followed was a breakthrough season in which the rail-thin, 6-foot-7 left-hander with the Jesus-like runaway beard and shoulder-length brown hair posted a 3.35 ERA in 53 appearances, struck out 51 batters in 40-1/3 innings and finally seemed to harness his command by streamlining the mechanics that so often had betrayed him throughout his career.

And now, as he prepares to start his third season with the Red Sox, let there be no doubt about Miller's desired role.

"You try to hold on to starting as long as you can. That's what I've always done," Miller said before being honored Thursday night at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner. "But (being a reliever) ended up being real good for me. I learned a lot. I think it really fit me well, and I'm excited to do it again."

Indeed, Miller has become a fixture in what figures to be a strong Red Sox bullpen. Last season, he was lethal to left-handed hitters, holding them to a .149 average and totaling 33 strikeouts. But he also had enough success against righties (.263 average, two homers in 67 plate appearances) that he can offer more than simply a left-on-left option for new manager John Farrell.

If anything, settling into a relief role has provided Miller with, well, a sense of relief.

"I think there's always some uncertainty in spring, but usually I seem to come with a lot of it," Miller said. "I'm the guy who can't rent an apartment until the last minute. Any bit of certainty is nice. The way that last year ended and all, it's nice to come in and have an idea of where things are going."

Miller also has a unique perspective on Bard's plight. After a nightmarish experience as a starter landed him back in the minors last summer and searching for his fastball velocity, to say nothing of his command and self-confidence, the hard-throwing former setup man is seeking to reestablish himself in the Red Sox' bullpen.

Surely, Miller can relate, and not just because Bard is his close friend and former teammate at the University of North Carolina. For years, Miller endured similar struggles, failing to secure a place in the Marlins' rotation and falling short of his vast promise as a former first-round draft pick.

Last Sunday in Mississippi, and with Farrell and pitching coach Juan Nieves watching, Bard threw off a mound for the first time this winter. Farrell believes Bard has made adjustments to his mechanics that will help him recover his once-dominant form.

"I think there's a lot of similarities," Miller said. "I haven't seen him throw. But I think he has a good plan. I hope it works, and I think it will. I think he's really doing things the right way. It was a tough season, but I think he's strong and he's working hard. Obviously, I'm pulling for him."